| Notes |
- from "A Family Called Wild", 1989:
Sinsheim, a community of about 10,000 people, is located southeast of Heidelberg in Southwestern Germany. The father of Joseph and Casimir, Peter Wild, is listed in church records as being a farmer.
Little is actually known of Joseph and Casimir's early life in Germany. The portrait and biographical record of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, 1892 has the following entry: "During the revolt in 1848, Joseph and Casimir identified themselves with the Revolutionists and like many of their countrymen found America a genial country in which to take refuge."
They arrived in Ontario and settled in a town called Berlin near Waterloo. Berlin was renamed Kitchener during World War I. It was a German community that aided the brothers in making friends and adjusting to a new land and language. They would both move to Bayfield, Ontario, in about 1851. There they would acquire adjoining tracts of land, marry, raise their families, and live the remainder of their lives.
Around 1859 the brothers bought approximately 100 acre farms from Ninian Woods who had received the patent lot #1 in May 1836. In 1861 both families were living in one-story one-family log houses. Had Casimir owned three hogs, their ownership of livestock would have been identical.
By 1870 both Joseph and Casimir had built substantial homes. Casimir's home is of bricks and Joseph's of stone. Both houses are still standing and in excellent repair. As Joseph's home is still occupied by the builder's descendants, it is known as a "Centennial Home".
Comparison of 1871 and 1877 tax records showed a continued, almost identical similarities of property. Pictures of the brothers also indicate a close harmony and I'm sure a communal assistance in working their land. Both brothers were very active in community affairs and were instrumental in starting St. Peter's Church and the Catholic cemetery in St. Joseph, Ontario.
----------------------------------------
In 1989, Lori Mattson Alling visited Sinsheim and spoke with people at the rectory for St. Jakob's Catholic church. According to the people at the rectory, the name Wild (pronounced Veeld) is an old Sinsheim name. While in Sinsheim, Lori saw a number of Wild headstones in the cemetery, as well as a factory with the name Wild on it.
----------------------------------------
21 Apr 1848, New York passenger and immigration lists
22 year old Casamir Wild from Bavaria arrived in New York on the ship Duchess D'Orleans. Port of departure Havre.
(ed note - The date on this immigration record is very interesting. In 1848, there were a series of protests and rebellions across Europe. Casimir Wild lived in Baden, which was the first state in Germany to have popular unrest. He would have been about 21 years old in 1848.
On February 27, 1848, an assembly in Baden adopted a resolution demanding a bill of rights. Similar resolutions were adopted in other German states. A preparliament was convened on March 31, 1848. On April 2, 1848, the two representatives from Baden walked out of the preparliament to protest the lack of progress. A full-scale uprising broke out in Baden on the same day. This event became known as the Hecker Uprising, and was suppressed by the Bavarian government with the aid of Prussian troops.
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean took a couple of weeks in 1848. Casimir arrived in New York on April 21, so he probably left Havre a couple of weeks earlier, likely within a few days of the start of the Hecker Uprising.
Casimir's older brother Joseph emigrated from Germany at about the same time as Casimir. The rest of the Wild family remained in Germany. The third son Johannes was only 12 years old in 1848. It seems likely that the Wild family decided to send their two eldest sons Casimir and Joseph off to Canada in order to protect them against getting involved in the uprising.)
-----------------------------------------------
10 Jan 1859
Cassimer Wild (farmer) purchased land from Ninian Woods (gentleman), paying $787 for 52 1/2 acres.
1861 Census
Household headed by Kasimir Wyld, Roman Catholic, from Germany, occupation farmer, 34 yo. Wife Catharine, Roman Catholic, from Germany, 34 yo. Daughter Ellen, 7 yo. Son John, 5 yo. Son Peter, 3 yo. House was a log cabin.
Birth record
17 Jun 1870, daughter born to Cassimir Wild, farmer, and Catherine Vogt
1871 Canadian Census, Stanley Township, South Huron, Ontario
(poor quality copy, some unreadable)
Household headed by Cassimire Wild, 44 yo, German, Roman Catholic, occupation farmer. Wife Catherine, 43(?) yo, German, Roman Catholic. Daughter Ellen, 17 yo. Son Peter, 14 yo. Daughter Ester(??), 10 yo. Daughter Ann, 7 yo. Son William(??), 6 yo. Daughter Catherine, 3 yo. Son Magin(??), 1 yo.
1875 Ontario, Canada voter lists, Stanley
Cassimer Wild, Lot W pt 1, Con L R E
1876-77 Ontario, Canada voter lists, Stanley
Casimer Wild, Lot W pt 1, Con L R E, owner
1880-81 Ontario, Canada voter lists, Stanley
Casimer Wild, Lot W pt 1, L R E, owner
1881 Canadian Census, Stanley Township, Huron South, Ontario
Household headed by Kasyners Wild, 54 yo, born in Germany in 1817. Occupation farming. Religion Catholic. Wife Catherine, 53 yo, born in Germany in 1828. Son John, born 1862, occupation farmer. Daughter Annie, born 1864. Son William, born 1866, occupation school. Daughter Catherine, born 1868, occupation school. Daughter Margaret, born 1871, occupation school.
1883-85 Ontario, Canada voter lists, Stanley
Casimer Wild, Lot W pt 1, L R E, owner
1886-87 Farmers and Business Directory for the Counties of Huron, Middlesex and Perth
Casimer Wild, Bayfield, Stanley township
1887 Ontario, Canada voter lists, Stanley
Cassimer Wild, W part 1, L R E, owner
1889 Ontario, Canada voter lists, Stanley
Cassimer Wild, W part 1, L R E, owner
1891 Ontario, Canada voter lists, Stanley
Cassimer Wild, W part 1, L R E, owner
1891 Canadian Census, Stanley Township, Huron South, Ontario
Household headed by Casimier, 64 yo, born in Germany, Roman Catholic, occupation farmer. Wife Catharine, 64 yo, born in Germany. Son William, 24 yo, born in Ontario, occupation farmer. Daughter Margaret, 20 yo, born in Ontario.
1896 Ontario, Canada voter lists, Stanley
Cassimer Wild, W part 1, L R E
1898 Ontario, Canada voter lists, Stanley
Cassimer Wild, W part 1, L R E
1898 Farmers and Business Directory for the Counties of Huron, Middlesex and Perth
Cassimer Wild, Stanley township
1901 Canadian Census, Stanley Township, Huron South, Ontario
Household headed by Casimier Wild, 74 yo, born in Germany, dob 27 Feb 1827, immigrated in 1850. Occupation farmer. Religion Roman Catholic. Son William, 30 yo, dob 2 Jul 1870. Daughter Margaret, 27 yo, dob 17 Jun 1873.
Ontario death records: Cassimere Wild, died 21 Sep 1904, married, Roman Catholic, occupation farmer. Born in Germany. Cause of death - "Eul Prostate Uraemia"
29 Sep 1904, Clinton News Record
Mrs. Weir and son of Milton, North Dakota, arrived here on Friday evening last to visit her father, Mr. Casimir Wild, who had been seriously ill for a long time and passed away on Wednesday evening. Funeral took place on Friday morning. Mrs. Weir did not arrive for several hours later.
29 Sep 1904, Clinton News Record
On Wednesday evening of last week there passed into rest another of the pioneers of this section in the person of Mr. Casimir Wild, who had reached the good ripe old age of seventy eight years. He was born in Germany in the year 1827 and when twenty five years of age came to Ontario and settled in Waterloo county where he married Catharine Vogt. Two years later he moved to Stanley township and settled upon the farm on the sauble Line where he spent the remainder of his life. Thirteen years ago his wife passed away and now this worthy man has joined her in the spirit land. To them nine children were born of whom only five survive, viz., Peter, John and Mrs. Weir of North Dakota, Mrs. Campbell of Stanley and Miss Maggie on the homestead. The funeral took place on Friday last to the Roman Catholic cemetery at Drysdale where the remains of the upright man now repose beside those of his life partner. A large number of friends gathered to pay this tribute of respect to the memory of the departed. We extend our sympathy to the bereaved ones.
- **********************
This is the last Will and Testament of me Kassimir Wild of Stanley in the County of Huron and Province of Ontario made this 23rd day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and one (1901).
I revoke all former wills or testamentary depositions by me at any time heretofore made, and declare this only to be and contain my last will and testament.
I direct all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid and satisfied by my executors hereinafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.
I give devise and bequeath all my real and personal estate of which I may die possessed in the manner following, that is to say:
To my daughter Ellen Campbell wife of George Campbell of the Township of Stanley in the County of Huron three hundred dollars ($300).
To my daughter Catherine Weir, wife of George Weir of Cavalier County in the State of North Dakota three hundred dollars ($300).
To my grand daughter Ursula Swarts daughter of Alwin Swarts of the City of Buffalo in the State of New York three hundred dollars ($300).
To my daughter Margaret of the Township of Stanley in the County of Huron the residue of my estate both real and personal for her sole use and benefit.
The legacies to my daughters Ellen Campbell and Catherine Weir I wish to be paid as soon as may be after my decease.
The legacy to my grand daughter Ursula Swarts I make payable on her attaining the full age of twenty one years.
And I nominate and appoint my daughter Margaret Wild and my son-in-law George Campbell both of Stanley to be executors of this my last will and testament.
*********************************
(ed. note) Casimir's will reflects a simple logic:
- Sons John and Peter had moved to North Dakota over 20 years earlier and were successful and well established farmers by the time Casimir died. Peter is known to have arrived in North Dakota in 1880 equipped with horses, a wagon and assorted supplies with a total value of about $230. It is likely that John came similarly equipped. They both had effectively claimed their patrimony years ago.
- Son William had died, leaving no heir. Daughter Annie had died, leaving an heir Ursula Swarts.
- Daughters Catherine and Ellen (Helena) and grand daughter Ursula each received equal cash bequests of $300.
- All else, including the house and property, was bequeathed to the youngest daughter, 34 year old Margaret (Maggie), a "spinster".
When Casimir died in 1904, all of his children were married and established in their own homes -- except for his youngest daughter, 34 year old Maggie who had cared for Casimir and Catherine in their later years. When Maggie was 39, she married Frank Keegan and they continued to live in the old Casimir Wild house. Twenty years later in 1929, Maggie died of a "cerebral abscess". She was remembered in her obituary as "an industrious woman, a good wife and a kind neighbor". Frank Keegan died in 1952. Maggie and Frank didn't have any children, so they bequeathed the old Casimir Wild property to an orphanage. The home is now privately owned, no longer in the Wild family. It is in excellent repair.
|
1827 - 1904 (77 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
